Police seize N59.2m solar inverters in Kano, nab three over filling station theft

By Maduabuchi Nmeribeh/Kano

The Kano State Police Command has recorded two major operational successes within 48 hours through proactive policing by the Sharada Police Division and the Special Intervention Squad (SIS).

The Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, said the achievements reflect the command’s commitment to sustained follow-up, intelligence-led and community-centred policing in line with the directive of the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu.

Giving an account of the two operations, he said that on 29 July 2026, detectives attached to the Sharada Police Division acted on credible intelligence received from a community policing stakeholder.

The information revealed that one Abdullahi Isah, 43, was advertising large quantities of solar inverters at suspiciously low prices.

The suspect was immediately arrested.

A follow-up search led to the recovery of 160 units of 6.5KW/48V solar inverters valued at ₦59,200,000.

The items were recovered from an uncompleted building at Haye Quarters along Western Bypass Road, Kano.

Bakori said the recovered items were reasonably suspected to have been stolen.

He called on members of the public who own or may have lost solar inverters of a similar description to report to the Sharada Police Division or contact the Divisional Police Officer on 08067272300 for identification and possible recovery.

Investigations are ongoing to determine the source of the items and identify other suspects involved.

The suspect will be charged in court after investigations are concluded.

In a separate operation, Bakori said that on 25 July 2026, armed robbers attacked Jajire Filling Station at Aku Village along Maiduguri Road in Gaya Local Government Area.

The attackers overpowered and tied up the security guards, locked them inside the security room and carted away six fuel dispensing machines valued at about ₦10,200,000.

The incident was reported to the police the same day.

Following the report, operatives of the Special Intervention Squad launched an investigation and tracked down the suspects.

On 29 July 2026, SIS operatives arrested three suspects in connection with the robbery.

The suspects were identified as Bishir Abubakar, 60, of Gafai Ward, Katsina State; Shamsu Abdullahi, 30, of Kofar Kaura Ward, Katsina State; and Alhaji Shamsu Lawan, 56, of Filin Polo, Katsina State.

During interrogation, the suspects reportedly confessed to purchasing the stolen fuel dispensing machines from one Usman Ibrahim of Kaduna State, who remains at large, for ₦5,200,000.

Police said efforts had been intensified to arrest the fleeing suspect and recover the stolen equipment.

Investigations are ongoing and the arrested suspects will be charged in court upon completion.

Bakori commended the Divisional Police Officer of the Sharada Police Division and the Commander of the SIS for their professionalism and swift response.

He reiterated that the command would continue its efforts to dismantle criminal networks and recover stolen property across the state.

The police commissioner also thanked members of the public and community policing stakeholders whose timely information led to the recovery of the suspected stolen items.

He urged residents to avoid buying goods offered at suspiciously low prices and to report suspicious activities to the nearest police station.